A symposium field trip to Pahi Farm, where Ngāi Tahu Farming is conducting regen dairy trials Photo: Supplied
What began last year as a small discussion about regenerative dairy farming has now grown into a trans-Tasman collaboration.
About 20 farmers and researchers from Australia joined in the discussions at Dairy's Regenerative Transition Symposium held in Leeston in July.
"It's really multiplied in numbers," farm advisor and event supporter Sue Cuberworth told Country Life.
"These farmers are enjoying becoming less intensive and lower input but still getting really good production and equivalent profitability. And what I love is working with passionate, innovative people - what's not to love about that?"
Discussing pasture diversity at Clyde McIntosh's Canterbury dairy farm Photo: Supplied
Kate Mirams talks about the transition from conventional to regenerative dairy farming Photo: Supplied
Australian dairy farmer Kate Mirams and her husband Peter Neaves have been through a six-year transition to regenerative practices on their Gippsland farm in Victoria.
"The results have been absolutely startling," Mirams said.
"We've doubled the water held in the soil on the regen areas compared to conventional, roots are growing twice as deep, and we harvested five tonnes more pasture per hectare".
Regenerative pastures in a paddock Photo: RNZ / Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
Financially, the changes have also stacked up for them.
"We've steadily reduced our nitrogen use from nearly 200 kilograms per hectare down to just 20, while still increasing milk solids and return on assets."
As for the bigger picture, for Mirams it's about abundance.
"I want thriving soil microorganisms, thriving plant and animal communities and a thriving family and community. If we get that right, production follows."
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Rachel Short was of one of the speakers. She has an organic dairy farm in Coastal South Taranaki Photo: Supplied
Attendees packed into the Lakeside Soldiers Memorial Hall Photo: Supplied
The gathering was organised by Chloë Deer, manager of Quorum Sense, a farmer-led network that provides a platform for farmers to share knowledge and ideas about biological and regenerative practices.
She said it was important to include both science and farmer-led research.
"We wanted it to not just be the researchers.
"We also have a lot of individual farmers who are trying out all sorts of different things on their own farms.
"Some have been developing their systems for decades, others are just beginning, but all are willing to share their knowledge."
For Deer, who farms sheep in North Canterbury, it's the values that shine through.
"They're all farmers trying to do well by the soil, their farms, animals, and communities. It's a pretty unique group of people."
Discussing soil health at Pahi Farm Photo: Supplied
Chris Hibbert Photo: Supplied
Australian vet and dairy advisor Chris Hibbert talked about a pilot programme exploring biodiversity interventions on Victorian dairy farms.
"Probably 10 percent of farmers are willing early participants because their values align with sustainability.
"Another group want to see the science first, and others will need financial incentives.
"That's why programmes like this matter; they let farmers explore options without undue risk."
Hibbert said his passion for regenerative farming is generational.
"Agriculture has such a big impact on the planet, I want to see us doing it more sustainably for my children and grandchildren."
The six principles of soil health in the regenerative approach are: Context, limit disturbance, cover the soil, maintain living roots, increase diversity, and integrate animals Photo: Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
Canterbury dairy farmer and filmmaker Deane Parker Photo: Supplied
Canterbury dairy farmer Deane Parker has been documenting farmer stories for Quorum Sense as a filmmaker, while also applying regenerative practices at home.
"It's been a dream job and I've been able to take all that knowledge back to our own 200-hectare family farm," he said.
"We've actually increased milk production per cow since shifting away from winter cropping and focusing on more nature-based solutions."
One of of the last speakers was Central Hawke's Bay farmer Willie White who shared his experiences of shifting from conventional to an organic system.
Willie White shares his financial insights Photo: Supplied
Dairy cows on a regenerative dairy farm Photo: Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
One of the first things he did was to reduce cow numbers, which is paying dividends now, he said.
"Even though production dropped with fewer cows, the overall economics work out better, and supplying Fonterra's organic programme, we're forecast $12.30 per kilo this season compared to $10 for conventional."
As a former rural banker, White believes it's the numbers which matter most.
"If you get the economics right, the environment and philosophy fall into place. That's what convinced me to make the shift."
Outside the dairy shed at Pahi Farm Photo: Supplied
Talking winter feed at Scarlett Farm in Hororata Photo: Supplied
As the day wrapped up, there was a sense of momentum.
Farmers from both countries were learning not just from scientists, but from each other's trials, mistakes, and successes.
"It's about creating abundance, not scarcity," Kate Mirams said.
"And about leaving the land better for the next generation," Deane Parker added.
From deep soil roots in Victoria to chemical-free farming in Hawke's Bay, the regen journey is unfolding differently on every dairy farm, but, it seems, the values are shared.
Late afternoon at Scarlett Farm Photo: Supplied
Learn more:
- Learn more about Quorom Sense here
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